Göttweig - Benedictine Monastery, located in the Austrian city of Fürth near Krems, on a hill south of the Danube in Lower Austria. In 2000, the monastery Göttweig listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The monastery was founded by the Bishop of Passau, the main altar was consecrated in 1072, and the monastery - in 1083. By 1094 at the Abbey of discipline has become so weak that the Bishop of Passau, with the permission of Pope Urban II, set here the Charter of St. Benedict. Under Hartmann from the Black Forest, he was elected abbot. He brought with him a few select monks, among whom were blessed Virnto and Berthold. Under Hartmann (1094-1114) became famous for strict adherence to the monastic way of life. He founded a monastic school, organized the library, built the monastery at the foot of the hill.

In the 15th and 16th century abbey gradually emptied, and from 1564 in the monastery there was not a monk. Soon came Göttweig monk of Melk named Michael Herrlich, who completely restored the monastery spiritually and financially.

In 1718 the monastery was burned down as a result of a terrible fire, but was rebuilt on the draft Johann Lucas von Hildebrandt. Formed after the restoration of the imperial staircase, decorated with allegorical sculptures of 12 months, it is considered a masterpiece of Baroque architecture in Austria. The interior of the monastery frescoes by Paul Troger depicting the glorification of the emperor KarlaVI.

The monastery has a rich library consisting of 130,000 books and manuscripts, engravings, precious coins. In addition, there is a rich collection of paintings and sculptures and interesting to explore. And you can have lunch in the monastery restaurant, which offers a magnificent view.